Why do we consider acne unattractive?

Because it is unattractive.

I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking. Acne is unattractive, but it doesn’t mean the person suffering from it is.

It happens to teens frequently during a very bad time, when they are trying to find out who they are and make their place in the world. It’s sad for the kids who suffer with it, I agree, but it is an ugly condition all the same.

Aesthetically speaking, it just looks…well, unattractive. Especially, when put compare an acne ridden face to clear, smooth skin.

Attraction is still, even in our evolved state, related to our innate preservation of the gene pool. We mate with the healthiest, to breed the healthiest possible.

Smooth skin is a healthy indicator, acne is an indicator of unhealthiness. We find unhealthiness unattractive.

Thar ya go, circular logic.

@All Would acne stop you from dating someone who has it?

Well, if we were in close proximity all the time, to the point where I could get to know him, it’s likely I’d see past his face and into his heart – so yes – in that case.

However, if a guy with acne walks up to me and asks me out on a date – no – I would not.

@alive As far as dating, probably not. I’m not that superficial. It also wouldn’t stop me from hooking him up with a dermatologist.

I once dated a girl who would break out when the weather was too warm. Her face, back and chest. Pretty bad, but, I loved her a lot and she was an attractive woman otherwise, so, I was able to look past it.

it looks similar to a rash > rash = disease > susceptibility to diseases > inferior genes > reduced survivability for offpspring > mate with someone else.

Getting your face close to someone who has festering sores that are ready to shoot pus all over you should be attractive?

Acne is unattractive., It manifests as open sores on one’s face and/or body. Acne is also a medically treatable condition and people living with it should see a doctor. Acne would not in itself, keep me from dating someone or being friends with someone.

@alive I have dated a few guys with acne in the past. I am not a surface type person. I tend to look beyond appearance and see the person within.

If you want a remedy for it, I’ve tried this and it’s very effective.

1 cup chickpea powder flour
1 table spoon turmeric
In the same cup, ¾th milk or milk cream

Make in to a paste and apply to face. Allow to dry and then scrub clean with water only. Pat dry.

You can also apply it to any other part of the body to make your skin healthy and clean.

sorry for going off on a tangent

@atlantis You may want to add where those items can be found.

Because it makes you look like a freaking pizza

@teh_kvlt_liberal Don’t hold back, tell us what you really think. :)

@teh_kvlt_liberal always provides us with rather interesting answers.~

It is an infection, and often times it is an open wound on the face.
I’m sure the aversion to it goes to a primal instinct to protect the species. In an animalistic since, infection = weakness, weakness = weak offspring, weak offspring = deat of my species.
It’s all about survival of the fittist from our most primitive core.

I had a. boyfriend in 6th grade who broke up with me because sits bothered him.
All that oily skin paid off though because I’m nearing 50 and have very few wrinkles.

It’s never really bothered me. It’s generally natural, something we all have to deal with, and something most of us are at one time or another self-conscious about, so making someone else uncomfortable about their condition via rejection or other altered behavior is just becoming a former tormentor. Even if you didn’t have issues, as I didn’t, if you’re empathetic and know someone who did, then you likely wouldn’t want to perpetuate such superficial and callous behavior.

Sure, there’s the built in response, but we’re evolved beyond basing all or our actions on genetically encoded responses. That’s not to say that there aren’t people out there that experience an inexplicable visceral response they can’t overcome. I’m not going to lie; if someone’s acne is so pervasive and intense that physical contact would result in unwanted fluid transfer, then yeah, it’s going to get in the way of a relationship because that’s uncomfortable and just unsanitary. Then again, if it’s that extreme, there’s probably something beyond regular acne going on.

If you’re asking about immediate response though, just because someone has acne does not mean I automatically write them off or react to them any differently, and If the personality is a match, then absolutely I’d date someone with acne just as fast as someone with clear skin and an equivalent compatibility.

Although, I do seem to belong to a very small minority.

Acne looks painful and some of it also looks like it could get messy if you rubbed up against it and the people with the acne don’t like it even more. An ex of mine was so tired of his acne in his 20’s that he took some prescription pills for it and creams that ended up doing damage to his liver; I thought that was a terrible price for him to pay in order to feel better about himself.

Acne is an infection, so we naturally shy away from it. However, I’m not talking about the two or three zits someone like my daughter gets, but something like this. It is a serious medical condition and is very unpleasant to have.

We’re programed to find unhealthy looking individuals unattractive.

Often times any ailment showing on the outside is an indication of a worse one on the inside. Acne is much the same in that (aside from hormonal moments) it indicates a bad diet – which is eventually gonna lead to a lot more than acne – which as others have mentioned isn’t good for furthering the species the end reasoning.
I myself had hardly any acne as a teen but instead got it in my early 20’s it went in & out of being better or worse but in the end it only really improves when my diet improves first.

As someone who suffered from very extreme acne from about 11 until 16 (and ended up going on Accutane for a year), I’ll let you in on a secret.

Acne wasn’t the source of my low self esteem at all.

How much acne are we talking about? Most people I know have some acne and get it every now and then. It would be ridiculous if I considered everyone like that to be unattractive or “unhealthy looking”. It’s just what naturally happens. People keep posting pictures of extreme acne, but I rarely see people like that.

This is coming from someone who doesn’t really get acne at all and never has.

@Sarcasm It was because of your taste in power metal, wasn’t it?

@teh_kvlt_liberal are you asking if power metal was the cause of my acne? or the cause of my low self esteem? In the case of the former, it might’ve been. In the case of the latter, it wasn’t.

I meant both

Because it’s just like a sore, and it just looks unappealing. I can’t wait to be rid of my acne and the scars :(

Acne equates, in the minds of some, to unclean, since, typically, dirt and grime lead to breakouts (if Hayden Panetierre is to be trusted in those ads).

sorry if this was said earlier

Healthy skin is sexy.
Acne, not so much.

I don’t really get acne much. But when I do, it’s extremely mild, almost transparent, and somehow shows up in a very strategic fashion. It just looks like I’m wearing a little bit of blush.

Acne: The natural blush

Acne.Is.Ugly.
I don’t like it.All you would have to do is just take care of your face or use some product that clears it off.I don’t like it but dating somebody with it won’t stop me from liking them because a lot of people get it.I have smooth skin which is good and I wash my face every day and night so I don’t usually get acne.

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about acne. It isn’t something only “dirty people” get. I have a friend who has acne (not super bad like these extreme pictures you guys are posting) but she washes her face everyday and sometimes takes two showers a day. It has nothing to do with how “dirty” she is. Some people are just more susceptible to it. She uses products but those aren’t perfect and it keeps it under control, but it doesn’t get rid of it or anything. It isn’t as easy to get rid of as people think.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_vulgaris

@irocktheworld Not sure if you knew this… But for some people, acne is extremely stubborn and hard to get rid of. There is no one proven method that works for everyone. Many people have been known to go through 10–20 different creams and cleansers before noticing even a SLIGHT difference. In some cases, trying to “take care of it” made the acne worse. Personally, I think a little acne is okay, and understandable. It’s not “attractive”, but it’s certainly not in the same league as having a siamese twin or a goiter. I feel bad for people with extreme acne. Especially the ones who’ve tried everything.

Pus is gross. I’m not trying to be superficial – I think it’s gross when I have them, too.

I haven’t had bad acne, but I break out when the weather changes, I get stressed out, etc. It is embarassing and painful because society wants us to look perfect all the time. I don’t want to leave the house when I have a break out because I am afraid people won’t look past the few pimples I have at the fun and outgoing person I am. People who don’t have this problem don’t understand how it affects your life. It makes you self-conscious, and it really sucks. It is not flattering, I understand…but pimples don’t make someone unattractive. A shitty judgemental attitude does. I would rather date a nice, funny person with acne than an incredibly attractive person who is selfish or judgemental.

I suffered with mild acne through middle school and most of high school. Not horrible but enough to bring my self esteem down. Kids can be cruel and they were always finding a new name to call me behind my back. It was hurtful. Society teaches us from a young age that clear skin is pretty. The problem is, nobody is perfect. And a lot of americans suffer from acne. It hurts me to read the posts from those of you who consider acne disgusting or gross. Or to say it looks like a disease! What will you do if you have a child who when he/she hits puberty they develop acne? Will you tell them the same thing? That they’re gross and unattractive? That nobody will ever love them because of something they have no control over? How sad.

I am not advocating shunning anyone with a skin problem at all. Nor do I support the idea that anyone should be called names because of an illness. Terrible acne is a disease, and folks suffering from it need to go to a doctor. Mild acne is a fact of life, but it is still an infection and thus is less attractive than healthy skin.

I am simply pointing out that acne is not healthy so people have a inbuilt reason to be repelled by it (but not by the person who suffers from it). Anyone who suffers from acne needs to take care of their skin as best they can, and anyone who knows someone who suffers from it should be as supportive to their friend as possible.

@Darwin When you say it’s unhealthy I can vouch for many people when I say it usually has nothing to do with how well you take care of your skin or how healthy you are. I had a skin care routine that I followed religiously and it did nothing to clear up my face. Acne doesn’t mean you’re dirty or unhealthy. My doctor gave me meds which also did nothing to help. Some people are just unlucky. I wish clearing up skin was as easy as washing my face twice a day but it’s not the case.

@ItalianPrincess1217 – I didn’t say it is related to how you take care of your skin, your general state of health, or even how you live your life in general. I also didn’t say acne is caused by being dirty. It is, however, unhealthy in that it represents infection and inflammation. Thus it is unattractive.

Acne is initiated by blocked sebaceous glands. Sebum (oil) is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria (which live on everyone’s skin and generally cause no problems) to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.

Inflammation near the skin’s surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper still and it’s a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a “whitehead.” If the oil accumulates melanin pigment or becomes oxidized, the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a “blackhead.” Blackheads are therefore not dirt, and do not reflect poor hygiene.

Acne can be caused by changes in hormone levels, certain medications, and even exposure to certain chemicals. It is also affected by how much of a tendency your skin cells have to block the glands as well as how often you touch or pick at your face.

The reason why many people have had a hard time controlling acne is mostly due to impatience. You need to follow the prescribed routine for three or four months before you will see a difference. Most people give up too soon.

As I said, “Anyone who suffers from acne needs to take care of their skin as best they can, and anyone who knows someone who suffers from it should be as supportive to their friend as possible.”

in my teens and early 20’s salysilic acid was the only thing that worked for me. In my late 30-s through my 40’s I have upped the ante to glycolic to ward off wrinkles as well :-)

I agree with most of these responses…

Sometimes, acne has nothing to do with what you are/are not doing to keep your face clean. Sometimes (like in my case), it’s hormonal. (personal anecdote follows!)

I went on birth control at the tender age of 13. After trying all of the various antibiotics (they tear up your stomach and/or make you nauseous), the various skin creams, and a daily cleansing regimen, b.c. was the only thing that helped.

However, studies are now suggesting that b.c. can lead to depression. Having dealt with (and dealing with) depression, I have to wonder if being on b.c. for so long led to this.

I also eventually tried Accutane, after being pressured by my mother and my dermatologist.

Accutane is not a fun experience. It heightens any and all emotions you’re feeling (so if you feel like crap normally, you feel like s*** on the medication) it makes you incredibly susceptible to sunburns, and incredibly dries out your skin and hair.

Sure, I’m now (mostly) acne-free, but I have to wonder if my chemical/hormonal imbalances weren’t aggravated or even caused by Accutane.

Back on-topic: Acne is unattractive, to me, because I know what it’s like to go through. I know how painful it is, how much we lament it when we wake up and see another breakout. I know how much it hurts your self-esteem, because many people (boys, for me) won’t look twice at a girl who’s got acne. It’s unattractive because it’s one of those things that we should be able to fix—after all, medicine has come so far, but for whatever reason, we can’t.

@Darwin My personal experience had nothing to do with impatience. Like I said, I followed a very strict routine which I tried for not months but years. Believe me, I know all the scientific mumbo jumbo when it comes to acne. I did plenty of research back in the day. So no need to school me with all of that. For some people, clearing up their acne may be as simple as sticking to a routine and being patient but I wasn’t that lucky.

Nonetheless, my opinion still stands that we shy away from acne intrinsically because it is unhealthy. Inflammation is never desirable.

@Darwin I agree.

@evegrimm

What is b.c.

b.c. = birth control pills

i was surprised to read so many comments that reinforce standard societal norms. (i.e. outer/physical perfectness is better than the alternative) usually on fluther i see more thoughtfulness and ‘anti-superficial’ discussion.

i have to wonder how many of the people who responded so negatively to acne have or have experienced acne.

what about the scars that are left by acne. are those unattractive too? how sad that even when someone finally get rid of the “unattractive” acne, now they have to live with the scars all their life.

some of this was mentioned, so bare with me if it seems repetitive. i have more to add too.

acne vs clear skin is not the equivalent to unhealthy vs. healthy.

acne is caused by overactive/enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands. over active or enlarged does not necessarily mean unhealthy. as judi pointed out in the long run it has done her skin good to be well moisturized.

Yes, it does cause a bacteria build up, but those are bacteria that all people already have.
(and the pus that forms is from white blood cells fighting off the bacteria build up, not the bacteria itself)

“acne is not caused by eating certain foods, restricting the diet is not helpful. Since it is also not caused by “dirty” skin, excessively scrubbing does not help and can even make the skin more irritated.” about.com

acne is largely genetic !!!!!!!!! it is not caused by environmental factors, (such as food, dirt, or even following a regimented skin program, etc.)

i personally don’t find it unattractive.

maybe that is because i got really bad acne from my dad (he had very bad acne and now scars from the acne, cuz it is genetic and nothing has worked for me except accutane, but it did not work the first time i am on my second cycle of this drug), and i know the struggle that people go through when they have acne.

actually, being one of the people with bad acne for many years, i can appreciate acne as something that builds character. so in that sense i think it is attractive. because you do hear all these messages about how your skin is not good enough, yet no matter what you do there is no way to “fix” it.
looking in the mirror at myself (acne and all) i probably would not be half the person i am today if i had listened to all this outside non-sense about acne being unattractive.

i am not trying to sound like a saint or anything, but acne is not the first thing i see when i see people with acne. maybe it takes a trained eye (someone who sees it everyday on themselves) to look past it.

@Beta_Orionis, @shortysith, @ItalianPrincess1217, i am with you guys on this one…

I never said not to look past the acne to the person behind it, but quite frankly we all dislike acne on anyone’s face, because it represents inflammation. I had acne. I had friends who had terrible acne. I have friends now who bear the scars from having had terrible acne. I don’t rate any of these people on their skin condition. I rate them on their personalities.

With that said, the question was “Why do we consider acne unattractive?” The answer is because it represents inflammation, which is an unhealthy condition. The question was not “Why do we dislike people who have acne?” or “Why do we blame people for having acne?”

Don’t create an attack where none exists.

Acne sucks. I think most people suffer from zits at some point, I’m 23 and still get them every so often..especially now that I’m pregnant (fucking hormones)
I think it’s a shame how people are treated when they’re teens, especially being made fun of for things they can’t help..like acne, weight gain, psoriosis (I remember a boy in my grade, it was terrible the things people said)
Acne is unattractive, but I personally don’t judge people with it…I have dated guys that get pimples, nothing severe though.

I suppose this means that no one wants to see the pimples on my butt, eh? ~

@Darwin you said we all dislike acne. but that isn’t true. i don’t dislike it. (i admit i do dislike it when it is painful. that really sucks, but that is not an aesthetic issue).

you are explaining it in terms of the biological reasons, which i don’t think are untrue by any means, but as someone pointed out earlier, we are not a slave to our biological instincts; and in many cases they can be over ridden. (one example: AIDS is one of the most deadliest diseases in the world, and it can be past to offspring, all the more reason to not expose yourself to it, yet people have the capability to choose/go against instinct to have sex with someone who they know to be “pos” – HIV positive.)

i think you would be hard pressed to find someone whose personal preferences are not influenced by outside sources. We get most of our information about what is attractive from from the media and hollywood (the dorky guy always has acne and glasses and probably braces) and even from parents, and of course friends all telling us that acne is ugly. its really not that bad.

@alive I think I would have discovered that acne is unattractive without outside influence. Just as I know other things are unattractive.

I agree with @Facade. No one has to tell me what I find unattractive or attractive.

maybe i was unclear in what i meant. i am not saying someone makes a command or direct statement about what you must consider to be attractive.

what i meant is that there is no standard for beauty. but we are “told” by our culture what we should value as more beautiful (there is a hierarchy of what is beautiful). for example “thinness” is considered attractive in popular american culture (this is because we associate thinness with exercise – even though some thin people never exercise – and we associate exercise with being healthy. (there are plenty of people who are not thin, but do exercise and are healthy.

further, in some cultures, and during past time periods (especially agricultural cultures and time periods where food is not as abundant as it is here and now in the US) being fat is considered attractive. and the fatter the better. because fat is associated with having food to eat, which is healthier than starving and not having any food. however fatness is not necessarily healthy. many health problems are related to obesity.

people in western culture are more likely to value thinness, while people in non-western and poor cultures value fatness.

Ever hear the phrase Black Is Beautiful ? of course you have. everyone has. but before the 1960’s about no one had. prior to the black movement black features were considered unattractive (even if they were on white people) such as “nappy” hair, or wide noses “curves” or even just dark skin. we had to change people’s entire mind set before so called “blackness” was considered equal to whiteness in terms of our beauty hierarchy.

so when our culture portrays acne ridden kids as “dorks”, “geeks”, “losers” and the like, they are selling you a whole package. it is not just the acne. they dress these characters in “nerdy” clothes like suspenders and given them braces and glasses, they are essentially telling you that this person is different from all the rest of the people “normal” people.

there was only one screech on saved by the bell while everyone else was “normal” and even “hot”. there was only one urkle on family matters. and neither of those guys were even unattractive. but they were packaged as nerdy and dorky so we as viewers would know, “oh, ok he is different, he is a loser”

this is what i meant by outside influences. we are psychologically influenced to think that certain traits are better or worse. this happens from childhood on through our entire lives. i am not saying it totally dictates your preferences. but it is always hidden in the corners of your brain.

@alive I’m not sure about everyone else but I for one am not so flexible to the whims if societal advertising as you seem to indicate folks are. All my life I’ve been attracted to pretty much the opposite of the ‘norm’ sometimes even to the despair of family members with their own racial, homophobic, anti fat, religious, political, hang ups or whatever. All that said to make the point that there is a difference between societal norms influenced by culture & advertising & those governed simply by what the majority likes/dislikes. I think even if you like big fat hairy girls or skinny boney bald men the average person is not attracted to (even is naturally repelled by) acne. It isn’t personal it’s just about our mental images – who can imagine kissing a person with extreme acne without also imagining pus leakage on their own face/near their eyes & mouth? I don’t think many. All that means is that we generally have to be attracted to more than the physical parts of a person with acne to such a level but those of us who are not superficial would at least give it a shot despite the nervousness of our imaginings.